Finance Minister, New UK envoy discuss expanding Pakistan-UK financial partnership

Pakistan's newly appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Tipu Usman, called on Federal Minister for Finance

Islamabad: Pakistan’s newly appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Tipu Usman, called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday to discuss expanding Pakistan-UK economic and financial cooperation, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade, investment, and financial ties.

The finance minister congratulated the high commissioner on his new assignment and expressed confidence that his diplomatic experience would help deepen economic engagement and advance Pakistan’s economic diplomacy objectives in the UK.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed opportunities to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, banking, remittances, capital markets, and financial services.

They also discussed ways to strengthen Pakistan’s engagement with international investors by leveraging London’s position as a leading global financial hub.

Aurangzeb highlighted the government’s efforts to diversify financing sources, expand access to international capital markets, and strengthen Pakistan’s financial architecture.

The discussions also covered developments in digital finance, blockchain-based financial solutions, virtual assets, and the tokenization of financial assets as part of the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.

The meeting further explored cooperation in debt management and capital market development, including continued engagement with the United Kingdom Debt Management Office. Tipu Usman briefed the minister on prospects for engaging institutional investors and facilitating future investment roadshows in collaboration with leading financial institutions.

The finance minister emphasized the significant contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in the UK through remittances, the Roshan Digital Account, investment, and commercial engagement. He also stressed the importance of continued collaboration with UK-based financial institutions and the private sector to further strengthen bilateral economic relations.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, and improving the ease of doing business, Aurangzeb said Pakistan remained focused on creating an enabling environment for investment and private sector-led growth. Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination to advance areas of mutual interest and further deepen Pakistan-UK economic cooperation.